Going Into the Upwind Turnpoint Too Low
What is worse is getting to the downwind turnpoint too low and drifting beyond the turnpoint. However, that generally doesn't happen from a planned tactical decision.
You might have heard of the theory to get into the upwind turnpoint low and the downwind turnpoint high.
Let's discuss doing this correctly before I admit how I did this incorrectly. As you are looking ahead for thermals and thinking where the turnpoint is and how it looks on the next leg. You want to take into consideration what height you would like to get to that turnpoint.
When on a downwind leg it is a good time to climb. I am not saying below average...however it might be an idea to take a slightly below average climb or just an average climb because you are making distance towards the turnpoint even while thermalling. You might drift towards the turnpoint a mile, which will be great now being at cloudbase and a mile closer. Of course how much you drift will vary on the wind, altitude band, and thermal strength.
The opposite is true going into the wind. Each time you thermal you lose some distance to the turn. So going into the wind your thermal strength needs to be slightly higher to be 'the same' as a downwind leg thermal. So it would be beneficial if your next leg is downwind to round the turnpoint and plan on the next climb after the turn as you drift downwind.
In theory, this is defiantly the way to go. However, there are some slowdowns that might occur in this method. Misjudging your glide around the turnpoint. It is one thing to be judging your glide to the next few clouds. It just takes some extra care to not get stuck.
Along with that extra care you might need to leave yourself some extra altitude. At the Sailplane Grand Prix Qualifier I was so focused on getting around the turn and getting on the next leg and drifting downwind I made it into the turn below the working band of lift. I left a 1knt thermal to a .1 knt thermal.
When you get close to the turnpoint sometimes it is a good idea to leave the thermal, get the turn then come back to it and drift away. This would work even better if thermals were the same strength for some known period of time. However, I have left it only to return to a much weaker climb or a thermal that is gone. If it seems the thermal might be cycling or weakening then I will leave it to try and come back to it a few minutes later and see if it has improved. If I have a gaggle I also take a look at the guys below and see how they are climbing, because that is where I would be rejoining the thermal.
Photo: Roberto Ruiz
Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.